J. Cole's mom, Kay Cole, appearing in Gilbert Theater production

Monday

"My first answer is that my feet don't hurt anymore," Cole said. "I don't have to work, and that's a blessing."

Cole, 55, is the mother of rapper J. Cole. Being able to retire from her job as a mail carrier is just one way her life has changed since her son's career took off.

Now living in South Carolina after spending about 25 years in Fayetteville, Cole is back in town to appear in a Gilbert Theater production of "Steel Magnolias."

It's a homecoming of sorts for Cole. Before leaving the area about 10 years ago, she appeared in Gilbert productions including "The Blue Room" and "The Laramie Project," and Cape Fear Regional Theatre productions such as "The Music Man" and "Picnic."

"It was on my to-do list to come back to the Gilbert and do a show," said Cole, who plays Ouiser in the play about Southern women who meet and share their lives at a beauty salon. "It's been wonderful. It's been so nice being back here."

Cole said she always knew there was something special about her son. But then, she quickly adds, doesn't every parent think that about their children?

"Jermaine was funny. He was a funny kid," she said in an interview at the theater. "He was not afraid to sing and dance."

Cole said her son always seemed open to all types of music, not just the rap he would become famous for. She remembers dancing in the family's kitchen with him to a bluegrass radio program.

Still, no mother probably could have predicted the success that J. Cole has enjoyed since he was signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation label in 2009.

Cole's first album, 2011's "Cole World: The Sideline Story," went platinum, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. He won a Billboard Music Award for his 2014 album "2014 Forest Hills Drive," named for the Fayetteville address where Cole and his family lived for a time. (Cole's Dreamville Foundation purchased the 1,600-square-foot home that year, with the goal of opening it as a home for single-mother families).

By the time J. Cole had achieved his fame, Kay Cole had left Fayetteville, where her son attended Terry Sanford High School. An Army veteran, she lived here with her former husband, J. Cole's stepfather, and her other son.

Her son's rise to stardom had an immediate benefit for Cole. She said his success meant she was financially able to retire from her mail carrier job.

And that was no small relief.

"The first 19 years (delivering mail) I felt like it kept me going and in shape," Cole said. "When I turned 50, I felt like it started to break me down."

With retirement, Cole said she has had time to devote to things she loves. She calls it "the gift of time."

Those interests include volunteer work with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a group that advocates for stronger gun laws. She also works with the Shalom House in South Carolina, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, and volunteers on the campaign of S.C. District 9 state House candidate Mary Geren.

"Since God has given me this gift," Cole said, "I felt I had to do something that mattered."

Cole said being retired also means she can spend more time with her 82-year-old mother, who lives in Michigan.

Being the mother of a rap superstar is not without its perks. In March, Cole attended the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, where J. Cole performed in a fundraiser for President Obama.

Meeting the president left the normally talkative Cole at a loss for words.

"I'm not intimidated by celebrity, but I was actually speechless when I met President Obama," she said. "I had actually practiced what I would say and I was just like, 'ahhh .... ahhh.'"

Another special moment came when Cole met Afeni Shakur, the mother of late rapper Tupac Shakur. Afeni Shakur died in May.

"She kissed my hand and looked me in the eye and said, 'Thank you for your son,'" Cole said. "I had tears in my eyes."

Cole also accompanied her son to the 2012 Grammys, when he was nominated for Best New Artist, and participated in an HBO documentary about her son.

For now, though, Cole is focused on her role in "Steel Magnolias" and with seeing old friends in Fayetteville.

Matthew Overturf, who is directing "Steel Magnolias," praised Cole's performance in the play.

"Kay is very professional. She comes to rehearsals prepared, always willing to work and also a great member of the ensemble," Overturf said. "She's always willing to help out the other ladies in the cast and really anybody she's working with. She always wants to improve her craft and improve as an actress."

Cole, who for a time considered pursuing an acting career, said she is proud of her son's success and touched that he chose to share it with her.

"Being a good Southern boy, it was important to him that his momma be taken care of, that his momma is happy," she said. "Southern boys love their mommas, and he definitely has that."

Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at mullenr@fayobserver.com or 486-3561.

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